UN Security Council rebukes N.Korea, expands sanctions

UN Security Council rebukes N.Korea, expands sanctions

The U.N. Security Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to condemn North Korea's December rocket launch and tighten existing U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang.

Among them - the committee on aerospace technology, as well as several heads of relevant departments.

The resolution approved by the 15-nation council was the result of a deal between the United States and China, envoys said on condition of anonymity. All permanent members of the Security Council, including Russia and China, voted for the document.

Even though the resolution does not impose new sanctions on Pyongyang, diplomats said China's support for it was a significant diplomatic blow to Pyongyang.

UNSC plans vote on expanding North Korea sanctions

The UN Security Council plans to vote later on Tuesday on a draft resolution that condemns North Korea for its December rocket launch and calls for tightening existing UN sanctions, council diplomats said.

The UN press office confirmed that the 15-nation council would discuss North Korea at a meeting on unrelated issues that begins at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

UN diplomats said on condition of anonymity that they were planning to vote on the US drafted resolution.